Karla's Cottage

More sewing?? Yep, another shirt!

Some long time friends, and Birdsong Peeps, suggested that we do a "boho" clothing workshop.

I am NOT a sewer, but was ready to tackle the shirt project that Lorrie Scott had featured in the Gilded Journey

But, it turns out, I didn't have to. Sweet Nora loves to sew, and happily did about 90% of the job for me.  What a nice surprise!!

I had cut up two of my husband's old shirts and was going to sew them together as the directions layed out, but Nora went a step further and custom fitted the pieces to me so that the duster was exactly my size.

I made some pockets and had vintage lace ready to add.

But she did all of the hard parts.

Tami had brought some sewing to do too, she was adding doilies to a runner.

A lot of the day was spent in me looking for the pile of mother of pearl buttons that I had set aside to add to the shirt. I swear, sometimes my studio is a black hole. I set something down and -poof!- gone.

Finally, I gave up and dug out more buttons to use instead.  I added them to the duster and felt like I had made a major accomplishment, since I am not a thread and needle person. Thanks to Nora, I only did the minor jobs on the piece, she whipped it up and made it wonderful!

What a nice day.

If you'd like to turn two, old shirts into one amazing duster, you can find the instructions in this beautiful book. Oh, and by the way? I have a chapter in the book too.  My story is about crafting a travel journal. The book is just lovely, and I hope to make many more of the projects inside.

Lovelies from Lori

Dewdrop has come to spend some summer with us.  My pal, Lori was kind to offer to have me stay over in her  Kentucky home as a half way spot to pick up our grand fairy, who was coming from NC.

Not only did I get some precious time to reconnect with an old friend, I got to meet her family for the first time.  And yep, they were as wonderful as she is. 

And her home?  I was probably too full of seething jealousy to take photos...

Seriously, what was wrong with me?  Why didn’t I take pics?

Every inch of her home is a delight.  I snapped this of some of her artwork on display in her studio, but it doesn’t represent her home, which is more neutral toned and filled with vintage and farmhouse glam design.  

Plus, the most important part of any home, comfort and hospitality.  There wasn’t a single area in that house that didn’t call out, “Hey, sink into this comfy chair and relax a bit!”  

Lori will be teaching at A Snowbird’s Song, and she sent her finished examples home with me (photos soon.)

That isn’t all she sent home with me...

She filled my car with this load of vintage glory!

(Maybe she was afraid that I would steal her sweet, little  Lucy, and wanted to make sure there was no space in the car to squeeze her into?  I did fall for her girls, and that littlest one really grabbed my heart.   I wanted to keep her.) 

Recently, I had redone my studio and had everything rearranged and streamlined.  But all of the wonders Lori sent home with me went seamlessly into the room and made it even better.  Probably because all of it was stuff I loved.

If you decorate with things you love, they always mix and match well together, right?

This prom gown and stack of boxes from her look like they were supposed to be here, don’t they?

Thank you, Lori, for your generosity in sharing your home, family, and pretties with me.

I'm glad I didn’t kidnap your daughter, that would not have been a very nice thing to do to repay you for your kindness (although, I would have enjoyed having her around!)

Cinderella's Carriage

When Karen came to visit me last week, she brought along gifts from our friend, Julie.  When we first saw these, we thought they were perfume bottles, then were corrected by Julie. They are actually oil lamps

But to both of us, they were Cinderella carriages! 

Karen brought these supplies to use on hers.  We both removed the bevelled glass (my amber glass will someday become full moons, with little witches on them) and painted the brass white.

Here is Karen's all prepped and ready for a princess to ride in.

And she even had a princess ready to roll.  Ta dah! 

Lovely!

We took a lunch break and had pie, (well, a wonderful lunch too, but oh man, that pie!!) at Ladybird Diner.

Karen had read about our local cafe in Food Network magazine, and wanted to check it out while she was in Kansas.  I'm always up for a lunch there, the buttermilk fried chicken is my favorite and I don't need much of an excuse to go have some again.

(At this point, my bruise was 2 weeks old and not fading much, but by now it is almost 3 weeks and starting to look a bit better. It doesn't hurt, so I forget about it, and am surprised when people ask me if I am ok, or what on earth happened to me. They aren't expecting a story about Harry Potter)

Mine holds two, very special princesses.

With a unique Fairy Godmother on top. Along with a giant, vial of pixie dust. Because at our house, there is no such thing as too much fairy dust to sprinkle around.

I also broke out the very, very special, vintage silk ribbon roses for both of us to use on our royal coaches. 

In mine, the clock is about to strike 12, and there are white pumpkins behind the girls.

And the princesses are decked out in very sparkly gowns.

The wheels are vintage rhinestone buttons and earrings.

Mine is not quite finished here, I still had flowers to add.

Thank you Karen, for sharing your treasures from Julie, and thank you Julie, for this gift!  It already has a special place in my home.

 

Once Upon an Easter

Jenn Hayslip’s bunny bash was every bit as special as I knew it would be.

It was great to catch up with old friends...

Meet some new friends...

  Learn some entertaining tricks..

Attend a tea party with my baby bro...

Make Eastery foofiness in fun classes...

Eat wonderful food in fancy settings with fun people...

Teach a class...

Go to an Easter egg hunt...

Play dress up...

Eat more great food...

And more...

And more...

I even got to decorate an Easter tree and do some other sprucing up before things started.

Thank you, Jenn, it was lovely!

 

 

 

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL.  Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts. 

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the  wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

You can read more about the class here.

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two.  It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.  

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit.  I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet.  But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it.  (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too?  She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo......  it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.  

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.  

 

I will leave you with a couple more photos from  my royal weekend with Satine and Karen.  It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.

 

Great news for Good Juju lovers!

And who wouldn’t love shopping there?  

Beth, The Other Karla, and I went to the Old West Bottoms to shop during the February show. 

As we’d expected, there were valentines galore. 

With a mix of hand crafted items, salvage, restored furniture, and vintage decor. 

I always like the variety. 

And the display inspiration. 

But as great as the place is, it is about to get even better....

Beth has joined the team of fabulous vendors!  You can find her on the first floor starting on the first Friday of March.   You’ll know what booth it is, by the crowd of thrilled bargain hunters filling their arms with cool vintage goodies!

Good luck, Beth!   I’m excited for you. 

https://www.goodjujukc.com/

Valentine shopping bags by Maggie

My talented pal, Maggie Raguse (and Birdsong Peep), has once again, designed some adorable shopping bags for Kroger.   In our area, Dillons stores are the local Kroger franchise.  If you are looking for one of these cuties, look up what the chain is called in your area. 

Then, you’d better rush to get one, because they sell out quickly!  They are very sturdy too, I used the Christmas versions in place of paper gift bags for presents. 

 

Goofing around with friends

TheOtherKarla, Beth, and I had a fun afternoon at the Old West Bottoms antique district. I didn't buy anything, but Karla, who isn't a junker found a few things.

Even without buying  much, we still had lots of laughs and a lively time.  Beth and I thought this walkway under the bridge was a gorgeous photo op, Karla didn't quite agree, but indulged us. See the people in the distance? They were there for a while, doing photos, with the young girl leaping into the air and posing quite prettily. I enjoyed watching them.

And insisted on doing it myself. 

Not as prettily though.

And I didn't achieve much air.

While we had plenty of goofiness, I think that we ended up with a couple of nice pics too. The structure was a cool backdrop.

As we left, we saw a gaggle of dapper guys in suits headed over for a photo shoot too.  I wonder if this area is a well known KC spot to pose?  

 

The Plaza Lights- from a very special viewing point

Our pal, Angie lives in an apartment overlooking the KC Plaza with a glorious view of the holiday lights.

The view inside is pretty dang great too. Angie arranged a delectable feast of loveliness for us after a day out together, lunching, shopping, and laughing. 

The city looked magical from her window.

It was a day filled with pretty things.  

And fun photo ops.

With some silliness thrown in.

I wore my favorite, new Santa shirt (AGAIN, it seems to be my uniform for December along with my decade old, red velvet coat), and found a set of placemats to match it.  But since they cost more than the shirt did, I didn't buy them.  Actually, besides lunch, and a bag of old fashioned, hard candies, I didn't do much purchasing. Just browsing and enjoying the over the top, holiday displays the stores had out.

We went to the Kaufman center to see the trees and flowers, which are a major mood enhancer this time of year.  When the Kansas landscapes are grey, brown, dreary, and dead, it is heartening to see flowers in bloom. I bent over and got some deep whiffs from the pots of white stock and the sweetness of the blooming plants really made me happy inside.

I'm rarely a red or green person, and don't decorate my home in these colors for the season, but I do love pops of these festive shades in jewelry or clothing in December.  So, I made myself some silver earrings with red and green semi-precious gemstones. While I was at it, I made enough to pass out to friends too, and took some to lunch that day for Beth, Karla, and Angie to choose from.

In the past, I've painted ornaments as little gifties for friends, and it was nice to see that Angie has some of them on her sparkling tree.

Her home is perfectly coordinated, and she has such a gentle touch with decorating, it is always an honor to see something I'd made in her home.

She crafted gift bags filled with everything we'd need for a winter's night of relaxation at home. (Wine, chocolate, and a good book!) and topped the package with this sweet collaged image. 

It was a special day, ending with an even more special evening. I'm blessed to  have good friends who could take a day off to simply enjoy the season with me. 

 

 

Elfing around with pinecone pixies

My pal, Tami, once again invited a group of local Peeps to her lovely home for a holiday crafting day. She is always generous with supplies and ideas to share with friends.  This time, we were elfing around and making pinecone pixies.

Here are a few of the ones that I made. She provided a basket full of pine cones, and plenty of felt, along with the little wooden balls for heads and other tidbits to put together.

I'd brought this chunk of firewood, deer, and tree to make this display.  

But this character looks more like a Yorkie than Santa's helper, doesn't he?

See what I mean?

Or maybe more like this?

We had a holly jolly time making these, and soon the room was filled with the fun lil guys.

It was hard to stop, even though all of mine didn't turn out as good as I would've liked. This poor sprite looks like she has smoker's wrinkles around her mouth where the ink ran. I can almost hear her throaty voice saying, Ho HO, Ho, between coughs....

Her sis turned out a little better. She is sitting on a spool.

Tami's halls were decked, her home is always so tastefully and vintagely festive.  I do not know why I didn't get more pictures, dang it.  But at least I took this pic, look at this unique and fashionable tree.

Between eating a yummy, pitch in lunch and assembling elves, we also worked on a few other projects.  There were some butter pat plates available to work with.

I'm afraid my finished product is rather plain, but the plate itself was so simply sweet, I wanted to keep it pretty much as is.

 

I also made a little doggie ornie.

And a bottle brush tree snowflake too.

With all of the laughter, warm conversations, and of course- treat snacking, I don't know how I managed to get so many things made.  

What a nice day! Thanks, Tami!!